Venice Lights Up: Emanuele Crialese’s Bold Declaration
At the 68th Venice Film Festival, director Emanuele Crialese took the stage and shared a truth that sent ripples through the crowd. He revealed that he was born as a woman – and that he’s now living as a man. Gone are the shadows of silence and this is his first public unveiling of his transition.
Movie Magic: L’Immnesità
His latest feature, L’Immnesità, is a sweeping, autobiographical dive into a 1970s Roman family. The story follows an eldest daughter who identifies as a boy, sparking friction’s flames in a household already simmering with tension.
- Cast highlight: Penelope Cruz takes on the fierce mother, a role both heartbreaking and empowering.
- Plot twist: The narrator’s voice is a mixture of his own childhood memories and the fierce pulse of his identity.
- Film’s essence: A tender blend of humor and raw emotion, casting light on what it means to “be yourself” in a world that’s ready to turn your life into a drama.
Crialese’s Confession
“I was born biologically a woman, but that doesn’t mean I lack the big, beautiful feminine part of me,” he told reporters. “Choosing to live or to die isn’t a question I asked; it’s how I was born.”
He didn’t delve into the intricacies of how he transitioned, but he credited his mother for being his rock—a supportive anchor amidst the storm of societal expectations.
Penelope Cruz: Motherhood Reinvigorated
Perched in the spotlight for her best actress honor last year (for the film Parallel Mothers), Cruz speaks to the struggles of women who literally live behind walls they build to protect children.
“There are countless women around the world who are trapped in the house, putting on a façade for kids. I know some of those stories, and it’s hard,” she said.
She tells us she had felt drawn to maternal roles from a very young age. “I was five and told everyone I was going to be a mother first thing after school,” Cruz admitted.
Final Curtain Call
Crialese’s courage not only rewrites the director’s own narrative but also rewrites the cultural conversation around gender identity and authenticity. In a city where art, film, and humanity collide, this moment is as unforgettable as any Oscar-winning performance.
